Introduction

Introduction:

My name is Phil Ritzert and I am a Mass Communications major at Dixie State College. I am also a Veteran of the United States Army. Much of who I am and what I do is defined by these two identities. My first deployment was with the Utah Army National Guard where I spent just over a year performing security operations at the Deseret Chemical Depot in Tooele Utah. It was during this deployment that I began to see many of my friends and fellow soldiers deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the war on terror. In many ways I felt as though I was getting off easy with nothing but a stateside tour of duty in the state which I had been born and raised.

Upon completion of this deployment I moved to St. George where I enrolled at Dixie State College and began my college career. Near the end of my second semester I received word that the Southern Utah Field Artillery Battalion (the 222^nd Field Artillery Battalion) had received orders to deploy to Iraq. Less than a week later, in December of 2004, I volunteered to transfer to this unit and join them on what would be my first trip to the “sandbox”. Between January of 2005 and December of 2011 I deployed 4 times in support of combat operations in Southwest Asia.

In 2012, with both of the United States’ wars winding down and coming to a close, I opted to separate from the Military. I spent the following two years struggling to come to terms with a condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I watched as this taboo condition began to take its toll on not only myself, but many of the closest friends that I had ever come to know. I began to bury friends which meant as much to me as the family with which I share blood. Suicide and prescription overdoses took the lives of more of my brothers in this two year period than the wars themselves had.

Nearly at the end of my rope I returned to St. George Utah. Call it the grace of God, dumb luck, or the inability of what was left of what I considered to be my soul to give up, I was able to begin battling my demons. Through the help, support, and love of fellow Veterans, close friends, and few pit bulls, I began to take my life back. I entered into treatment for PTSD and began to educate myself in regards to these four little letters. I set pride and my fear of judgement for having this condition aside. I dove head first into the murky waters of battling and coming to terms with this condition.

I learned that these four little letters do not have to control or define who and what I am. I learned that I did not have to let them dictate my everyday life. I continue to learn about and educate myself in coping mechanisms and treatment methods for overcoming the worst parts of this condition. Most importantly, I have learned that once a person can look past and overcome the stigmas and negative social perceptions which these four little letters carry they can truly begin the healing process and regain a part of them they thought lost forever.

I recently re-enrolled in what is now known as Dixie State University to continue down the path to higher education. As mentioned earlier, I am pursuing a degree in Mass Communications and will spend the next three years chasing this dream. Returning to school and working with Veterans and various Veteran Organizations is now what consumes most of my time. I am currently a member of the Southern Utah Red Cross Advisory Committee Board of Directors filling the role of Services to Armed Forces Representative. I advocate for the Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) as well as a non-profit organization called Team Red White and Blue. I am a current member of the American Legion’s Post 90 in St. George Utah. I am also in the process of co-founding a Veterans outreach foundation for Veterans throughout the state of Utah.

My name is Phil Ritzert, Former Staff Sergeant Utah Army National Guard, current student and civilian,  and I am waging war against four little letters.